Golf club head with elastic weight members

ABSTRACT

A golf club head includes a body having a striking plate and an assembling portion, a first elastic weight member including an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix, and a second elastic weight member including an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix of the second elastic weight member. The second elastic weight member includes a specific density and an elastic coefficient different from those of the first elastic weight member. The first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member are mounted in the assembling portion of the body to form a golf club head. The first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member adjust a center of gravity of the golf club head and provide an elastic vibration-absorbing effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf club head with weight members.

2. Description of Related Art

Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 322789 discloses a golf club head allowing adjustment of the center of gravity. The golf club head comprises a body made of metal and including a hosel, a crown, a sole, and a rear. At least one cavity is defined in the crown, the sole, and/or the rear. A weight member is mounted into the cavity by plastic deformation and thus coupled to the body as an integral unit. The material, specific density, mass, and volume of the weight member are selected to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head to a desired location.

China Utility Model Publication No. CN 2429210 Y discloses a golf club head comprising a body and a weighting bottom plate. The body is made of a material having a low specific density, such as stainless steel. The body includes a hollow chamber with a bottom opening to which the weighting bottom plate is fixed by welding. The weighting bottom plate is made of a material having a high specific density, such as tungsten alloy. The material, specific density, mass, and volume of the weighting bottom plate are selected to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head to a desired location.

Although the center of gravity of each of the above-mentioned golf club head can be adjusted, the vibration generated during striking could not be effectively absorbed, as the weight member (or weighting bottom plate) does not provide a vibration-absorbing function. As a result, the golf club head might crack or the weight member (or weighting bottom plate) might be disengaged from the body after a period of time regardless of the engaging method (such as welding, brazing, insertion, screwing, etc) between the body and the weight member/weighting bottom plate.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with elastic weight members for improving the vibration-absorbing effect of the golf club head while adjusting the center of gravity of the golf club head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with elastic weight members in which the engaging reliability between the golf club head and the elastic weight members is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a golf club head comprises a body including a striking plate and an assembling portion, a first elastic weight member including an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix, and a second elastic weight member including an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix of the second elastic weight member. The second elastic weight member includes a specific density and an elastic coefficient different from those of the first elastic weight member.

The first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member are mounted in the assembling portion of the body to form a golf club head. The first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member adjust a center of gravity of the golf club head and provide an elastic vibration-absorbing effect.

Preferably, the elastic matrix of the first elastic weight member and the elastic matrix of the second elastic weight member are selected from a group consisting of resins, rubbers, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, and high-molecular elastic materials.

Preferably, the metal powder of the first elastic weight member and the metal powder of the second elastic weight member comprise powders of a group consisting of tungsten, lead, molybdenum, copper, cobalt, nickel, niobium, iron, manganese, tin, chromium, zinc, vanadium, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and oxides and compounds thereof.

Preferably, the first elastic weight member is in contact with a rear side of the striking plate.

Preferably, the specific density of the first elastic weight member is smaller than that of the second elastic weight member.

Preferably, the elastic coefficient of the first elastic weight member is greater than that of the second elastic weight member.

Preferably, the second elastic weight member is located on a residual vibration concentrating area of the body. The residual vibration concentrating area of the body may be located on a toe and a heel of the body.

In an embodiment, the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member are pre-manufactured before mounting to the assembling portion of the body.

In another embodiment, at least one of the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member is formed in the assembling portion of the body by injection molding. Preferably, the second elastic weight member is partially embedded in the first elastic weight member.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member further comprises a metal weight member embedded therein.

In still another embodiment, the second elastic weight member extends in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and is in contact with the first elastic weight member. The golf club head further includes a third elastic weight member extending in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and in contact with the second elastic weight member.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a golf club head comprises a body including a striking plate and an assembling portion, an elastic weight member including a matrix having a low specific density and a high-specific-density metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix, and an elastic member including a matrix having a low specific density.

The elastic weight member and the elastic member are mounted in the assembling portion of the body to form a golf club head. The elastic weight member and the elastic member adjust a center of gravity of the golf club head and provide an elastic vibration-absorbing effect.

Preferably, the elastic weight member comprises a specific density different from that of the elastic member.

Preferably, the elastic weight member comprises an elastic coefficient different from that of the elastic member.

Preferably, the low-specific-density matrix of the elastic weight member and the low-specific-density matrix of the elastic member are selected from a group consisting of resins, rubbers, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, and high-molecular elastic materials.

Preferably, the high-specific-density powder of the elastic weight member comprise powders of a group consisting of tungsten, lead, molybdenum, copper, cobalt, nickel, niobium, iron, manganese, tin, chromium, zinc, vanadium, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and oxides and compounds thereof.

Preferably, the elastic member is in contact with a rear side of the striking plate.

Preferably, the specific density of the elastic member is smaller than that of the elastic weight member.

Preferably, the elastic coefficient of the elastic member is greater than that of the elastic weight member.

Preferably, the elastic weight member is located on a residual vibration concentrating area of the body. The residual vibration concentrating area of the body may be located on a toe and a heel of the body.

In an embodiment, the elastic weight member and the elastic member are pre-manufactured before mounted to the assembling portion of the body.

In another embodiment, at least one of the elastic weight member and the elastic member is formed in the assembling portion of the body by injection molding. Preferably, the elastic weight member is partially embedded in the elastic member.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the elastic weight member and the elastic member further comprises a metal weight member embedded therein.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the elastic weight member extends in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and is in contact with the elastic member. The golf club head further includes another elastic weight member extending in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and in contact with the elastic weight member.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a golf club head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the golf club head in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a golf club head in accordance with the present invention comprises a body 1, a first elastic weight member 2, and a second elastic weight member 3. The body 1 may be a body for an iron club head, a wood club head, or a putter. The first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 are used to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head while providing a vibration-absorbing effect for the golf club head.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 1 is for an iron club head. The body 1 is made of metal, alloy, or non-metal material. The body 1 includes a striking plate 11, a hosel 12, and a cavity. 13. The striking plate 11 and the hosel 12 may be of a conventional design and can be mounted to the body 1 by welding, brazing, insertion, screwing, or bonding. The striking plate 11 has a front side for striking golf balls. Alternatively, the body 1, the hosel 12, and the striking plate 11 can be integrally formed, with the striking plate 11 providing a striking face of the body 1 for striking golf balls.

The back cavity 13 is defined in a rear side of the body 1 and provides an assembling portion to which the first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 are mounted.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first weight member 2 is made of an elastic matrix having a low specific density. Further, a metal powder having a high specific density may be optionally mixed into the elastic matrix. The second weight member 3 is made of an elastic matrix having a low specific density and containing a metal powder having a high specific density.

The elastic matrix may be selected from a group consisting of resins, rubbers, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, and high-molecular elastic materials. The metal powders include powders of a group consisting of tungsten (19.35 g/cm³), lead (11.34 g/cm³), molybdenum (10.2 g/cm³), copper (8.92 g/cm³), cobalt (8.9 g/cm³), nickel (8.9 g/cm³), niobium (8.57 g/cm³), iron (7.86 g/cm³), manganese (7.3 g/cm³), tin (7.29 g/cm³), chromium (7.2 g/cm³), zinc (7.14 g/cm³), vanadium (6.1 g/cm³), titanium (4.5 g/cm³), aluminum (2.7 g/cm³), magnesium (1.74 g/cm³), and oxides and compounds thereof.

By adjusting the mixing ratio between the elastic matrix and the metal powder, each of the first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 has a specific density between 1.1 g/cm³ and 10.0 g/cm³. The first elastic weight member 2 does not contain the metal powder or only contains a relatively lighter metal powder such that the specific density of the first elastic weight member 2 is smaller than that of the second elastic weight member 3. Further, the elastic coefficient of the first elastic weight member 2 is greater than that of the second elastic weight member 3. In a case that the first elastic weight member 2 does not contain the metal powder (i.e., the first elastic weight member 2 is a simple elastic member), the first elastic weight member 2 is still capable of adjusting the center of gravity of the golf club head.

Before assembly with the body 1, the first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 are manufactured to possess different specific densities and different elastic coefficients. In assembly, the second elastic weight member 3 can be located on a residual vibration concentrating area, such as the toe and the heel of the body 1. The first elastic weight member 2 and the second elastic weight member 3 are mounted into the cavity 13 (assembling portion) of the body 1 in sequence, forming a golf club head. The first elastic weight member 2 and the second elastic weight member 3 allow adjustment of the center of gravity of the golf club head to an appropriate location to thereby adjust the inertia moment and the striking effects.

At the hitting moment of a golf ball with the striking plate 11 of the golf club head, the striking plate 11 elastically deforms rearward to compress the first elastic weight member 2 and to transmit the striking momentum to the first elastic weight member 2. At this moment, the second elastic weight member 3 remains still and provides a support against which the first elastic weight member 2 presses.

Next, the striking momentum is transmitted rearward through the first elastic weight member 2 to the second elastic weight member 3. The second elastic weight member 3 absorbs a portion of the striking momentum. Then, when the second elastic weight member 2 is compressed to its maximum extent and becomes to spring back to its original shape, the remaining striking momentum is fed back to the striking plate 11 by the first elastic weight member 2, increasing the striking distance of the striking plate 11. In other words, by using the first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3, an appropriate vibration-absorbing effect is provided and the coefficient of restitution (C.O.R.) of the striking plate 11 is increased.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the first elastic weight member 2 and the second elastic weight member 3 are assembled in a different manner. In this embodiment, the second elastic weight member 3 is pre-manufactured and then fixed to a bottom wall delimiting the cavity 13 of the body 1 by bonding or insertion. Next, a mixture of the elastic matrix and the metal powder are injected into the cavity 13 to form the first elastic weight member 2 (injection molding). Thus, the second elastic weight member 3 is partially embedded in the first elastic weight member 2. This arrangement improves the assembling reliability of the first elastic weight member 2 and the second elastic weight member 3 while allowing absorption of the vibration and the adjustment of the center of gravity of the golf club head.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention modified from the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a metal weight member 31 is embedded in the second elastic weight member 3 to provide flexible adjustment of the center of gravity. Since the metal weight member 31 is completely embedded in the second elastic weight member 3 and not in contact with a perimeter wall delimiting the cavity 13, generation of odd sounds during striking is less likely to occur. Similarly, a metal weight member can be embedded in the first elastic weight member 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention modified from the first embodiment, wherein a first elastic weight member 2, a second elastic weight member 3, and a third elastic weight member 4 are mounted in the cavity 13 of the body 1 in sequence and extend in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate 11. The first elastic weight member 2 and the second elastic weight member 3 are the same as those disclosed in the above embodiments. The third elastic weight member 4 has a structure similar to that of the second elastic weight member 3. However, the specific density of the third elastic weight member 4 is greater than that of the second elastic weight member 3, and the elastic coefficient of the third elastic weight member 4 is smaller than that of the second elastic weight member 3. This arrangement provides reliable assembly among the first elastic weight member 2, the second elastic weight member 3, and the third elastic weight member 4 while allowing absorption of the vibration and the adjustment of the center of gravity of the golf club head. It is noted that the third elastic weight member 4 can be omitted to provide different effects in the absorption of the vibration and the adjustment of the center of gravity of the golf club head.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the body 1 is for a wood club head. The body 1 comprises a striking plate 11, a hosel 12, and an inner space 10 that provides an assembling portion for mounting at least two elastic weight members. The first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 may be mounted in an appropriate location of the inner space 10 of the body 1. At least one of the first and second elastic weight members 2 and 3 (e.g., the first elastic weight member 2) is in contact with the rear side of the striking plate 11 to provide a vibration-absorbing function and to increase the coefficient of restitution of the striking plate 11.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A golf club head comprising: a body comprising a striking plate and an assembling portion; at least one first elastic weight member comprising an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix; and at least one second elastic weight member comprising an elastic matrix and a metal powder mixed in the elastic matrix, the second elastic weight member including a specific density and an elastic coefficient different from those of the first elastic weight member; the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member being mounted in the assembling portion of the body to form a golf club head, with the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member adjusting a center of gravity of the golf club head and providing an elastic vibration-absorbing effect.
 2. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic matrix of the first elastic weight member and the elastic matrix of the second elastic weight member are selected from a group consisting of resins, rubbers, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, and high-molecular elastic materials.
 3. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal powder of the first elastic weight member and the metal powder of the second elastic weight member comprise powders of a group consisting of tungsten, lead, molybdenum, copper, cobalt, nickel, niobium, iron, manganese, tin, chromium, zinc, vanadium, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and oxides and compounds thereof.
 4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elastic weight member is in contact with a rear side of the striking plate.
 5. The golf club head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the specific density of the first elastic weight member is smaller than that of the second elastic weight member.
 6. The golf club head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastic coefficient of the first elastic weight member is greater than that of the second elastic weight member.
 7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastic weight member is located on a residual vibration concentrating area of the body.
 8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the residual vibration concentrating area of the body is located on a toe and a heel of the body.
 9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member are pre-manufactured before mounting to the assembling portion of the body.
 10. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member is formed in the assembling portion of the body by injection molding.
 11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastic weight member is partially embedded in the first elastic weight member.
 12. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first elastic weight member and the second elastic weight member further comprises a metal weight member embedded therein.
 13. The golf club head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second elastic weight member extends in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and is in contact with the first elastic weight member.
 14. The golf club head as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a third elastic weight member extending in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and in contact with the second elastic weight member.
 15. A golf club head comprising: a body comprising a striking plate and an assembling portion; at least one elastic weight member comprising a matrix having a low specific density and a high-specific-density powder mixed in the elastic matrix; and at least one elastic member comprising a matrix having a low specific density; the elastic weight member and the elastic member being mounted in the assembling portion of the body to form a golf club head, with the elastic weight member and the elastic member adjusting a center of gravity of the golf club head and providing an elastic vibration-absorbing effect.
 16. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic weight member comprises a specific density different from that of the elastic member.
 17. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic weight member comprises an elastic coefficient different from that of the elastic member.
 18. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the low-specific-density matrix of the elastic weight member and the low-specific-density matrix of the elastic member are selected from a group consisting of resins, rubbers, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, and high-molecular elastic materials.
 19. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the high-specific-density powder of the elastic weight member comprise powders of a group consisting of tungsten, lead, molybdenum, copper, cobalt, nickel, niobium, iron, manganese, tin, chromium, zinc, vanadium, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and oxides and compounds thereof.
 20. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic member is in contact with a rear side of the striking plate.
 21. The golf club head as claimed in claim 20, wherein the specific density of the elastic member is smaller than that of the elastic weight member.
 22. The golf club head as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elastic coefficient of the elastic member is greater than that of the elastic weight member.
 23. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic weight member is located on a residual vibration concentrating area of the body.
 24. The golf club head as claimed in claim 23, wherein the residual vibration concentrating area of the body is located on a toe and a heel of the body.
 25. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic weight member and the elastic member are pre-manufactured before mounted to the assembling portion of the body.
 26. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of the elastic weight member and the elastic member is formed in the assembling portion of the body by injection molding.
 27. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic weight member is partially embedded in the elastic member.
 28. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of the elastic weight member and the elastic member further comprises a metal weight member embedded therein.
 29. The golf club head as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elastic weight member extends in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and is in contact with the elastic member.
 30. The golf club head as claimed in claim 29, further comprising another elastic weight member extending in a direction parallel to that of the striking plate and in contact with the elastic weight member. 